Thanks for the information. I hope that wasn't a sarcastic response on your part, however. If there are one, two, or some very small number of obscure CFI unions, that says a lot.

I really do believe we need to shake this race to the bottom earlier than at the regional level. I just talked to a flight student the other day saying how he'd love to fly divers for free over the summer. Then he goes on to say how he wants to have a great career later on. Right. Rotten foundations to build a career on.

I saw flight instructor pay increase during the regional hiring boom. That's when CFIs were almost cocky, not desperate. "well if xyz flight school doesn't like it, heck with 'em...I'm going to abc regional in two weeks!"

For that short period of time, flight instructor pay and benefits were boosted, and we were treated better than whipping boys, it was good. Now it's back to "Johnny down the street will give his left arm for your job, so suck it up!"

I am becoming more and more convinced it isn't thrust and lift that make a plane fly, but desperation.